Girl aged 2 must stay in mould-infested council flat in Northampton against doctor’s advice, father claims

Nick Spoors

A family of five, who have been forced to sleep in their lounge because of health-threatening mould, have been told by council housing officers they have a good standard of living.

Jamal Boukhriss, a barber, lives in Park Drive, Kings Heath in a one-bedroom council flat with his wife, baby and toddler.

Mould under the kitchen sink.

Widespread mould has forced the couple to vacate the bedroom and all four - plus his older son when he stays overnight - sleep in the living room.

And the mould has been so bad that Yasmin, aged two, has been to hospital three times with worrying breathing difficulties.

But the Northampton Partnership Homes - which manages council houses and flats in Northampton - have told Mr Boukhriss the conditions are not bad enough to warrant a move.

Mr Bouhkriss said: “We have a doctor’s letter saying Yasmin is being made worse by the mould, but the officer was here and said this flat is good enough.

Mould in the kitchen.

“I would be willing to live anywhere in the county as long as the conditions aren’t like this. Unfortunately, I can’t save enough for a deposit so I have to do what the council tells me.”

The letter from Yasmin’s GP says: “An attributing factor to her condition is the conditions in her home. The apartment is very mouldy, damp and very cold, making it quite unsuitable for someone with recent respiratory infections and wheezing.”